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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / lifestyle / friends / {hello, monday…}

{hello, monday…}

March 19, 2012 · 27 Comments
Filed Under: friends, inspiration

…today i am basking in the memories made at our “party at the nest” weekend ~ hosted at nester’s home and filled with dear friends: caroline, nester, ellen, tracey, emily + hayley. there were cupcakes {naturally}, gifts from lisa leonard {thank you, lisa!!!}, laughter + tears, delicious meals and a lot of time spent chatting on the couch. ohhhh, it was fantastic. it was perfect in every precious way and today i’m feeling thankful for my friends that are scattered throughout the country.

i feel refreshed and at peace, and on this lovely spring monday i’m sitting at home in minneapolis, finishing up my plans for the week + wishing you a peaceful day as well ♥

how was your weekend? what happened that is bringing you peace today? i would love if you took a minute to tell me about it below.

[i’m linking up with lisa leonard today!]
xoxo

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27 Comments
Filed Under: friends, inspiration

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Comments

  1. lisa leonard says

    March 19, 2012 at 9:22 am

    Looks like an incredible weekend with Nester! We were very mellow on Saturday {love that} and then yesterday I was super productiove {love that too}! Hugs sweet friend!!

    Reply
  2. Tracey says

    March 19, 2012 at 9:23 am

    This time together was such a treasure. Already looking forward to next time. xoxo

    Reply
  3. Lauren says

    March 19, 2012 at 9:24 am

    Looks like so much fun! We had a lovely spring weekend here in NC. Spent lots of time outside, took hundreds of pictures (the sure sign of fun), and ate great food! This morning I am feeling so peaceful because of all the sewing I got done last week! I finished everything on my list, so today I am able to decorate the house for spring, which I love to do :)

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      March 19, 2012 at 9:29 am

      it was BEAUTIFUL in NC — ohhhhhhh, i wanted to stay forever :)

      Reply
  4. Katy (lil' alice) says

    March 19, 2012 at 9:32 am

    Mid 70’s this weekend in SE Michigan. Yeah! Did yard work and cleaned house! Spring is arriving early here and getting the yard work done now means more time on the boat when summer arrives!

    Reply
  5. Isasssara says

    March 19, 2012 at 10:46 am

    Last week was spring break for my kiddos. We had hoped things would work out to go on a road trip to Florida to visit Nana & Papa, but they didn’t and we were all very disappointed…until the week hit and we had summer like temps! There were water fights, trips to the pool, sleepovers with friends. Outdoor BBQing…Ah!!!! and the best part…NO BUGS!!! This weekend we went to church and grilled, colored with chalk…I always feel like we have to DO something, when really I have to remember we just have to BE together. Doesn’t matter where we are, doesn’t matter what we are doing, as long as its together. :0)
    Sheesh, you’d think I’d know that by now!
    Your weekend sounded wonderful!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      March 20, 2012 at 4:46 pm

      OH THAT IS DREAMY! pure dreaminess :)

      Reply
  6. Natalie @ NS Pottery says

    March 19, 2012 at 1:33 pm

    Wow, gorgeous flowers!! Everything looks so nice and cozy! This weekend was so, so gorgeous outside! Started working on my tan ;)

    Reply
  7. Heather Irene @ Rambling Rose says

    March 19, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    My thought that is bringing me peace today is that “I am not as strong as I think I am,” to paraphrase a Rich Mullins song. The peace in that is that God is. He is so much stronger than I could ever hope to be. I keep reminding myself of that. My day has been so much calmer, so much more peaceful because of that. {And trust me, I had quite a few situations that would have normally sent me over the edge!}

    The other thing? My fabulous “Rest” tea that I just made here at the office! So calming! :D

    Reply
  8. Lindsay says

    March 19, 2012 at 3:56 pm

    Looks like you had a great time :) I really enjoyed my weekend too. We found a cool estate sale + then I got hooked on The Hunger Games book ;) haha.

    Reply
  9. Jenna@CallHerHappy says

    March 19, 2012 at 4:21 pm

    My baby girl is finally feeling better after a nasty cold. That is peace :) Also, I just finished up a cute bag I have been sewing for my mom’s birthday!

    Jenna
    callherhappy.com

    Reply
  10. Arianne says

    March 19, 2012 at 6:37 pm

    Good for you girls doing this, looks like it was a blast! <3

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      March 20, 2012 at 4:47 pm

      xoxo. it was so good for my heart to be with friends :)

      Reply
  11. Diana says

    March 19, 2012 at 8:51 pm

    Looks like you had a wonderful time. Being with friends is such a blessing. I love it when my bible study girls get together and have a craft day…which will be next Monday when my favorite loving sister in law stays with us for a few days! Can’t wait…

    Reply
  12. Nadir@StitchSense says

    March 20, 2012 at 7:27 am

    Looks like SO much fun! What’s bringing me peace today is knowing that God has gone before me in EVERYTHING. When I’m confused, weary & have no words, there’s no need to speak them because God already knows what’s in my heart. I’m learning to release that & trust him more everyday. :-)

    Reply
  13. Seriously Sassy Mama says

    March 20, 2012 at 11:19 am

    Looking at those pics reminds me that I would love to throw a little part for me and my best gals, and that I need to paint my kitchen table turquoise!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      March 20, 2012 at 4:47 pm

      RIGHT? i want a turquoise table too :)

      thanks for your comment!!

      Reply
  14. caroline says

    March 20, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    hello tuesday! {i’m a day late!} what a wonderful weekend! wish we could turn back the clock and do it all over again!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      March 20, 2012 at 4:48 pm

      i do think we need to do this like… 2x/year :)

      ohhhhhh, the goodness that came from this weekend has been overflowing…

      Reply
  15. Lisa Nelson says

    March 20, 2012 at 3:54 pm

    looks super fun and girly! right up your alley :)

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      March 20, 2012 at 4:50 pm

      totally! lots + lots + lots of friend time. since zack and i got married we’ve done nothing but more (or so it seems), so to be with women that i met through blogging has been a huge blessing. i needed this weekend!

      MISS YOU LISA! xo.

      Reply
  16. Mariah says

    March 20, 2012 at 8:33 pm

    I have been working ALL. WEEKEND. LONG. Except that I’ve worked past the weekend, and into the week, re-doing our backyard and getting ready for a garden. I’m looking forward to next weekend, where I’ll lounge and sleep and sew to my heart’s content.

    Reply
  17. trish says

    March 21, 2012 at 1:27 pm

    Ok..who is “nester” and I want a tour of her house! Looks super cute!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      March 22, 2012 at 5:34 pm

      she’s my friend + mentor! please tell me you’ve clicked on her blog???? http://www.thenester.com :)

      Reply
      • Trish says

        March 22, 2012 at 6:58 pm

        I have now! I need to “get out” more often – fun blog

        Reply
  18. Barbie says

    March 26, 2012 at 8:18 am

    this looks so fun! i wish i were friends with all of you! :) it looks like you know how to really enjoy girl time.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. {what i wore wednesday} says:
    April 4, 2012 at 9:30 am

    […] gifted us this sunshine necklace at our Party at the Nest weekend + sassy ruffle headbands make me HAPPY! […]

    Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

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We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

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So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

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What are you reading this year? Currently?

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I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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